SPURS GAME DAY! PLAY-IN GAME 1: SPURS AT PELICANS, 13-4-2022, 8:30PM (CT)

[G R E Y]

It's finally here! All our hard work and improvements and individually and as a group have come together for the reward of earning a spot in the play-in. But it's just the first step of the overall stated goal. To go on, we will need to channel our best player for team mindset and effort, D-out, ball and arc protection, and good to great generated baskets. All for one!

WHERE: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

WHEN: Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 8:30pm (CT)

Image forthcoming

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GO SPURS GO!!!

[G R E Y]

Looks like everyone (including Romeo) except for Doug will be available for us tonight though I expect Pop to run a tight rotation except for spot rest minutes here and there.

[G R E Y]

And to address the other weighty question, I do hope and feel Pop is back coaching for at least next season.

1. He's remarked several times this season how much he enjoys this group, how it's drama free, how coachable the players are, and how he's actually teaching them something. It's nice for him to feel needed and we're just scratching the surface of what this group can be. Barring health issues, given how much he loves it and it's fun to come to work and not have to deal with any jerks, it's way better than the stresses of previous seasons. Do what you love.

1a. Given that the team has reached and surpassed Pop's all time regular season wins total, Pop and the guys don't have that pressure looming over them. You could feel the weight of it the closer the team got to the record, and once achieved, the team played very well afterwards, almost as if free of that yoke. Still, it was a goal to reach for, to focus on, and the guys did it.

2. Next season is the 50th anniversary for the Spurs. It would just be weird for Pop to coach all these extra years and then stop just before this team milestone. If healthy and loving coaching, why not be part of this historic season?

3. We have tons of cap space and lots of picks. Even though we did better than expected, Pop is still our best recruit weapon. His presence is a HUGE factor in drawing players to us. There was a survey of players (don't recall if it was past or present or both) who ranked Pop at the top of coaches they'd want to play for.

4. Unfinished business. We've made huge strides in changing players to the new young group and have already fared better than predicted. But getting great FAs and making the playoffs proper in our 50th season is a great goal and next step. Pop making the playoffs again feels right. All the more so in these other contexts.

5. I always thought it was interesting that at the time both Pop and Messina signed three-year deals. Well Messina has just announced he will extend for another two years. Also interesting. Snyder's contract is unknown but we do know it is not up after this season, more likely after the next year or two. And when Will Hardy chose to leave for Boston, that was the only time I recall that Spurs media did not publicly congratulate a staffer. We even congratulated personnel from Austin who left for NBA positions. Just felt weird. Then with the news of potential interest in Snyder, well I wonder if we'd moved on from Hardy.

Anyway, the point being, there are lots of reasons to return around the central one of Pop loving what he does and the guys responding so well to it.

[ducler]

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[G R E Y]

GUMO, PHREAK ET AL - PLEASE HOLD THE FORT AS I WILL BE FLYING DURING THE GAME.

BECAUSE OF COURSE THAT'S HOW IT **** WORKED OUT LOL

GOOOOOOO

SPUUUUUUURS

GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[imagump1313]

How will we ever have a chance without McDermott bricking threes all night and not guarding anyone?????

[G R E Y]

Holy **** Pop really is starting Primo!

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[G R E Y]

Posting from plane!!!

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GO SPURS GO!!!!!!!

[imagump1313]

Posting from plane!!!

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GO SPURS GO!!!!!!!

And 1's for plane posting!

[imagump1313]

Classic Spurs Black!!!! NO FIESTA!!!!! LETS GO

[imagump1313]

Our defense is horrible like usual and we don't box out but they are missing a lot of shots because of nerves. Refs have quick whistle and we are going to have foul trouble real quick.

[imagump1313]

They hit a couple shots and lead is gone instantly. Its going to get out of hand if we cant hit shots consistently.
We are the ones missing open shots now.

[imagump1313]

We let them get comfortable and now we are struggling to stay close

[imagump1313]

Murray 3 fouls, Poeltl 2 already. Good night.....

[imagump1313]

Avacado could get a max deal contract if he played us every game....

[imagump1313]

I'll do my best here Grey...

1ST Q: SPURS 22

PELICANS 26

Our defense BLOWS

Our rebounding BLOWS

We jumped on them early and had a chance to make things tough before they got into the flow of the game. Then we couldn't make a shot forever and they control the game now.

Plus we are going to be in foul trouble all game...

GO SPURS GO!!

[imagump1313]

2ND Q: SPURS 50

PELICANS 61

More of the same but worse in the 2nd.

McCollum looks like he is playing in a gym by himself because our defense is soo bad.

Avacado is destroying us like usual.

Now that they have confidence they are out-hustling us to every loose ball and rebound.

Except for Josh Richardson who is a vet, the rest of our guys look like the moment is too big for them. Keldon Johnson just looks way in over his head 0-7 from the field and a total non-factor.

Murray 3, Poeltl 2, Johnson 2 and Vassell 2 are all shell shocked with fouls.

It's basically a miracle we are only down 11(mostly because we jumped on them early)

It was a gigantic opportunity lost when we had a nice early lead and let them off the hook almost instantly.

We have a small chance to get back into the game if we get back to being aggressive and maybe guard someone. And box out. And make an open shot, lol.

GO SPURS GOOOOOOOOo!!!!!!!!

[imagump1313]

3RD Q: SPURS 75

PELICANS 92

"See 2nd Quarter recap" More of the same.....

A learning experience for us for sure. Totally outmatched by a playoff team in effort and execution.

Unless the Pecilans completely implode this game is over.....

Oh and, GO SPURS GOOOOGOGOGOGOGOGO!

[imagump1313]

4 Spurs under the basket after a missed 3 by NO and one Pelican who is actually hustling walks right in and get the rebound...

[imagump1313]

13-1 run to cut it to 9. Basically because McCollum is sitting and they are settling on offense. Last chance to make something happen.